Inspiration...Summer Dress

I found this lovely little Eileen ensemble:

Although the slip dress is sold out, the original price was $238.00 and the lace cardigan price was $228.00.  The slip dress is a linen blend.

Here's a couple of slip dress patterns that would give you a similar look/feel:

This is the Colette Cinnamon dress pattern.  This is an OOP pattern from Colette.

Next is this pattern:

This is the Roundabout Dress & Slip pattern by Anna Maria Horner.  You get 3 other bonus patterns with this one.

Are you wondering about the cardigan?  It is fairly easy to create this type of a pattern using a t-shirt pattern.  You would need to lengthen the pattern to the desired length, maybe widen it to allow for seating room in the hip, use a French curve to correct the front, and do not cut the front on the fold.  There are also many patterns available for this type of top.

Happy Sewing!

Inspiration – Summer Dresses

Dresses are so nice for the summer.  Cool to wear and very easy dressing. 

Here’s the first dress:

 

 

 

Such a cute little bee print. It has a shallow v-neck with cap sleeves, seamed waistband with a front knot detail, an a-line skirt with front double pleats, lightly fluted hemline, and a hidden back zipper.  It is made from a viscose/cotton fabric with a polyester/acetate lining.  Price tag:  $1999.00.  It is certainly worth heading over to Neiman Marcus to check out.  It is part of the pre-fall collection.

Next up:

 

This is the Sleeveless Side-Panel Ruched Sheath Dress by Carolina Herrera.  I love the Ruching on this dress (I would actually call that gathering since it is a pleat section attached  to the seam and not applied.). It has a shallow v-neck and is sleeveless, a bias panel on the left side with ruching, and slim pencil skirt with a hidden back zipper. It is made from a wool/spandex/nylon blend.   Price tag:  $1990.00.   It is worth heading over to Neiman Marcus to check out the details.

The final dress:

The color blocking is nice on this dress. It gives the illusion of a slim hourglass figure whether you are or not. It has a round neckline with a keyhole detail, capped sleeves, nipped waistline, knee length a-line skirt, and a hidden back zipper.  It is a viscose spandex blend.  Price tag:  $2390.00.  Head over to Neiman Marcus to check out the details using the zoom feature.  

One thing I noticed is that most of the dresses are knee length or slightly longer.  I like that.  What do you think of the slightly longer length in the hemlines? 

Hope your inspiration to create your own sheath dress.  I have seen similar patterns for the second and third dress but don’t remember seeing anything for the first day.  Let me know if you know of a similar pattern.

Happy Sewing!

Shirtdresses....

Shirtdresses are a wonderful addition to your wardrobe.  They are quick and easy dressing.  Here's a couple of feminine shirtdresses to consider:

Let's start with The Sally Shirtdress pattern by Serendipity Studio.  This pattern has four variations in three lengths.  It certainly has the classic shirtdress look.  However, look again.  The waistline fitting is accomplished with pleats giving you the perfect fit.  Check it out using the link and you will see other variations.  Sizes are XXS to XXL. 

Here's a sleeveless version of the Hawthorn Dress pattern by Colette Patterns.  This pattern provides a peplum top with short sleeves, sleeveless dress, and a 3/4 length sleeve dress.  This is a very feminine silhouette.

What do you think of shirtdresses? 

Happy Stitching!

Folded Star Pin Cushions

Have you tried the folded stars yet?  I certainly enjoyed the potholder that I made.  I need to make more that are seasonal to add a little color to the kitchen.  Here's the  Folded Star Pin Cushion pattern by PlumEasy Patterns:

Wouldn't this be a cute addition to your sewing and/or your ironing area?  It comes with colored instructions, measurements and 1 template to make the pincushion.  There is a 3-pack of Folded Star Pin Cushion Interfacing Templates available:

To go along with the Folded Star Pincushion pattern, I created a fabric kit:

Aren't these happy colors?  Also, you will need filling for the pincushions.  There is an unscented variety ground walnut shells:

 

and a ground walnuts with lavender scented:

 

Each bag of the ground walnut shells is enough to fill one pincushion.  There you have it.  Everything you need to make a cute little pincushion.

Happy Sewing!

The Ramona Wrap Dress pattern

Have you taken a good look at the Ramona Wrap Dress pattern?  Here's one view:

What could be quicker?  There are no buttons and no zippers.  Just a few seams, a tie, and binding.  Here is a fabric combination that temps me:

What do you think of this combination?  I like the gray with the peach.  Want more of a contrast?  I also have a navy that matches the floral.  Definitely a spring/summer dress.

Here's another floral combination with a plaid:

What do you think of this combination?  This makes me think of summer.

Here's a little more dramatic combination:

What do you think of this combination? I love the red and black.  This makes me think of late summer or early fall.

Hope you like this little shot of inspiration.

Happy Stitching!

How about some Hexagons?

Ever wondered what to do with those beautiful stripe fabrics?  Here's some cute new patterns that are all about stripes, triangles, and hexagons:

Let's start with the Triangle Frenzy Hexagon Table Topper pattern by Artistically Engineered Designs.  Size is dependent on the width to the strip used. 

Next, is the Triangle Frenzy Runner pattern by Artistically Engineered Designs.  Again, the length is width is determined by the width of the stripe. However, the size is given as approximately 20" x 46".  Are you seeing any possibilities?

The final pattern is the Triangle Frenzy Swirl runner pattern by Artistically Engineered Designs.  Even more possibilities.  As with the previous two patterns the finished size is dependent on the strip width.  The front cover runner in lavender is approximately 18" x 32". 

The one thing that you will need to create any of these patterns is a 12inch 60 degree ruler.  I have the Creative Grid version of the ruler. 

One more fun little item:

Perfect for all you hedgehog fans is the Hedge Fun! Hedgehog Hot Pads pattern by Susie C Shore Designs.  You can depend on this company to create cute little patterns.

Happy Sewing!

More inspiration with the Lauren Dress

Have you looked at the Lauren Dress pattern by Colette patterns?  Here is a visual:

This vintage inspired silhouette seems to be popular for spring.  Here are a few examples from Three Dots Spring 2014 collection:

Isn't this a lovely group of dresses?  From my research, the starting price on these dress is about $120.00 and ends around $280.00.  The high end is the dress on the flounce on the bottom.  The Laurel dress pattern comes with 4 variations in the package with one of variations being the flounce on the sleeve, another with the patch pockets and another without the patch pockets.  Four of the above looks are already provided within the pattern. 

Interested in the flounce on the bottom of the dress in the fourth picture?  Adding a flounce isn't difficult but there are some design decisions that you would have to make.  You will need to decide how deep you want your flounce, how much of a ruffle you want, and whether or not you want the flounce to add length to the dress.  You will need to experiment with your fabric to get the flounce that you want.  Here's a tutorial on a Fast and Easy Flounce.  The tutorial is showing a sleeve but the principle is the same for any edge that has a flounce added. 

If you're interested in duplicating any of these looks, hop on over to the Pattern Loft shop using the first link above.

Happy Stitching!